Study on the association of partner-seeking and high risk behaviors related to AIDS among men who have sex with men in the different sites

Abstract

To explore the situation of AIDS-related high risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) ever experienced partner-seeking in different sites. Target sampling for cross-sectional study ("snowball") and valid anonymous questionnaires were adopted to compare the differences of high risk behaviors related to AIDS. 1834 MSM were studied in nine cities who sought sex partners through internet, bars or bath ponds. Compared to the other corresponding groups, those MSM from the bath pond group had a significant larger number of total sexual partners, chances of having anal and oral sex with same sex, and ones of anal sex in the previous six months with the median number as 40, 16, 20 and 4 respectively. Internet group had a higher rate of bleeding (36.4%) when having sexual intercourse in the previous year and a lower proportion of 8.7% exchanged sex for money, and 14.9% and 13.3% in both bar and bath pond groups respectively. Bar group had significant lower rates of condom use with 79.6% while having sex with men and 45.3% with women, but higher rates (28.9%) ever participated in group sex in the last year and 4.2% with HIV infection. MSM had high risk behaviors related to AIDS appeared in different sites when seeking partners. Intervention strategy should be taken, according to the characteristics of different subpopulations, especially on the bath pond group.